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New Mr. October

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What a postseason already for Red Sox Kiké Hernández. The first-year Sox infielder/outfielder has outperformed with new records for postseason offensive production.

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Through Saturday’s Game 2 of the American League Championship Series, Hernández is 16-for-32 (.500) this postseason with four doubles and five home runs. More impressively, all nine extra-base hits have come over Hernández’ last five games, dating back to AL Division Series Game 2 vs. Tampa Bay. For those five games he’s batted an incredible 15-for-25 (.600).

That kind of performance is bound to set new records—and it has.

  • Kiké’s nine extra-base hits is the most of any ball player over five games in Major League postseason history. The previous record over five games was eight XBH, most recent by the Yankees Hideki Matsui in 2004.
  • The 15 hits over five games is likewise an MLB postseason record, besting the previous high of 13 hits most recently by White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson in 2020.
  • All those Hernández hits have amassed 34 total bases in five games. It’s a new MLB postseason record that passes a 44-year mark by the former Mr. October, Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, who had 31 TB over five games in 1977.

The five home runs over the last five games are the second-most in MLB postseason history. Four other players have had six, most recently Giancarlo Stanton in the 2020 postseason.

Red Sox History

Kiké’s prodigious offense made some franchise history, too. His 34 total bases are the most of any Boston batter in any game—regular season or postseason. The previous high was 32 by Kevin Millar in July 2004.

With his five home runs so far this postseason, Kiké Hernández has already matched Red Sox franchise record for home runs in a single postseason, shared by David Ortiz (2004 and 2013) and Todd Walker (2003).

Hernández’ 15 hits are the most of any Boston batter in any game since Johnny Damon recorded 17 over five games, also in July 2004. His 9 extra-base hits are most since Rafael Devers had 10 in August 2019.


Red Sox Win American League!

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Call it a Feel Good Series: Not only did the Red Sox win their 14th American League pennant on Thursday, but they did it decisively with a three-game road sweep of the Astros and with the help of some unsung heroes.

David Price: “Special Day”

On paper, David Price versus Houston’s ace, Justin Verlander, did not seem like a favorable match for Boston. In fact, Price was masterful over six shutout innings, allowing three hits but no walks and striking out a postseason career high nine Astros. In so doing, Price became the just the seventh Red Sox pitcher with six or more shutout innings in a postseason potential clinching game and the first since Jon Lester on October 6, 2008 in ALDS Game 4 versus the Angels.

Price joined three other Boston pitchers in the club’s postseason history with six shutout innings and no walks in a postseason game (also John Lackey in 2013, Josh Beckett in 2007 and Ray Collins in 1912), but Price is the only one of the four to reach nine strikeouts in such an outing.

Price, understandably emotional after the game, called Thursday “one of the most special days I’ve ever had on the baseball field.”

The start for Price was all the more remarkable coming on just three days rest and as a fill-in for Chris Sale. The last time a pitcher in an ALCS worked 6.0 or more shutout innings on three-or-fewer days was the Orioles Mike Mussina in Game 6 of the 1997 ALCS against the Indians.

Real Relief

Matt Barnes, Nathan Eovaldi and Craig Kimbrel provided 3.0 innings of relief, the only blemish coming with a solo home run by Marwin Gonzalez in the seventh inning off Barnes.

Red Sox Nation, no doubt troubled by Kimbrel’s effective albeit terrifying two innings of work the night before, watched him finish the series with two strikeouts and a walk. After the game came word that former Sox closer Eric Gagne had texted manager Alex Cora following Game 4 to alert him that Kimbrel was tipping his pitches. Changes were made and Kimbrel’s effectiveness was boosted.

Kimbrel became the ninth pitcher in ALCS history with three saves in one series. Only Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley (1988 with the Athletics) and Greg Holland (2014 with the Royals) have had more such saves (four each).

Red Sox relievers held the Astros to eight earned runs over 18.0 relief innings (4.00 ERA), including four runs in a tough 0.1 IP by Brandon Workman. Discounting Workman’s appearance the bullpen ERA was 2.05 during the series.

Jackie Bradley: MVP

Boston got Game 5 home runs from J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers but after the game it was Jackie Bradley, Jr. who earned MVP honors. Bradley batted 3-for-15 (.200) in the series but none the less drove in nine runs with two home runs and a double while drawing four walks and scoring three runs.

“Speechless. It’s amazing,” Bradley said in a postgame interview. “I have amazing teammates, amazing staff. Everybody’s such a blessing.”

Bradley’s nine RBI were fully a third of the Red Sox’ 27 RBI during the series. Bradley joins Koji Uehara (2013), Josh Beckett (2007), David Ortiz (2004) and Marty Barrett (1986) as the only ALCS MVPs in club history.

For Bradley, 2018 certainly had its ups and downs. “It’s a lot of work. It doesn’t come easy,” Bradley conceded. “I want to continue to work, perfect my craft and hopefully keep on winning.”

The Red Sox home runs were the first allowed by Verlander in an ALCS game since Mike Napoli helped Boston beat the Tigers in 2013 ALCS Game 3. Verlander had gone three straight ALCS starts without allowing a homer and had worked a total of 25.0 straight complete innings without a home run in ALCS play.

The Red Sox now have the luxury of some rest before facing the winner of the NLCS starting Tuesday, October 23, in the World Series at Fenway Park.


Red Sox Even ALCS

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They may have lost Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, but Red Sox Nation could take comfort from a good, come-from-behind 7-5 win in Game 2 on Sunday.

Starter David Price, far from invisible, was good enough to keep the Sox in the game, getting out of a two-walk, first-inning jam to be rewarded with two Sox runs in the bottom of the frame. Price immediately surrendered the lead, though, in the second inning, allowing a single and two doubles. Worse, he allowed a two-run home run by Marwin Gonzalez in the top of the third inning that had the Sox down 4-2. Boston answered back in the bottom of the third with three of their own to take and hold what would be a one-run lead until the seventh.

Despite the slim lead, Price wouldn’t qualify for the lead, exiting the game just one out shy of the prerequisite five innings of work.

What followed was 4.1 innings of solid relief by the Sox bullpen starting with Matt Barnes, who got out of a jam Price left behind and then worked all of the sixth inning, too. Barnes was followed by scoreless innings of work from Ryan Brasier and fiery Rick Porcello, who exploded with emotion after mowing down the Astros 1-2-3.

In the 9th inning, once again, close Craig Kimbrel kept the Nation on the edge of its collective seat. With a seemingly comfortable 7-4 Boston lead, Kimbrel got two quick outs before allowing a George Springer double and a José Altuve single. According to MLB.com, in his postseason career, Kimbrel has never had an outing with zero baserunners allowed when he comes into the game with a lead.

With Houston’s top player, Alex Bregman, representing the tying run at the plate, Kimbrel induced a pop fly to Andrew Benintendi that ended the game.

Offensive Might

Whereas the Red Sox offense looked missing in action in Game 1 (it was just the sixth of 180 Boston postseason games since 1903 with three or fewer hits), things were more like the regular season in ALCS Game 2.

Boston pounded out nine hits on Sunday, including four doubles, none more clutch than Jackie Bradley‘s two out, bases clearing, three-RBI shot in the third. Bradley is now tied with Andrew Benintendi for the third-most RBI in 29 postseason games for Boston since 2010. Only David Ortiz (14) and Shane Victorino (12) have had more in that time.

Mookie Betts, who has had relatively little production in the postseason, walked and then scored a key insurance run in the seventh on a passed ball by Houston backstop Martín Maldonado. Next inning Betts stepped to the plate with two outs and two on and doubled to bring in another run. Betts is now 6-for-24 (.250) since the start of the ALDS with three doubles and three RBI.

Boston’s seven runs on Sunday night were their most in an ALCS since beating the Rays 8-7 in Game 5 of the 2008 series.

Sale Hospitalized

Mid-game came the troubling news that Red Sox ace Chris Sale was hospitalized at Mass General with a stomach illness. Sale was held overnight for observation. After Sunday’s game, manager Alex Cora said the issue arose after Sale’s work in Saturday’s game and that it hadn’t affected his performance.


ALCS Schedule and Umpires

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Major League Baseball announced the postseason umpiring crews for the Championship Series.

For the American League Championship Series with the Red Sox and Astros it will be crew chief Joe West along with Vic Carapazza, Mark Carlson, Chris Guccione, James Hoye and regular season crew chief Mark Wegner. Guccione, Hoye and Wegner were part of the crew for this year’s National League Wild Card Game.

Regular season crew chief Bill Miller will be the ALCS Replay Official in New York for Games 1 and 2 then will swap positions with field umpire Hoye.

West’s 40 years in blue is the longest ever by a major league umpire. His 123 career postseason games ranks second only to Umpire Gerry Davis, who has officiated 143 games in the postseason and will be crew chief for this year’s National League Championship Series.

West was behind the plate for Red Sox Clay Buchholz’ September 1, 2007 no-hitter, in which he became just the third pitcher since 1900 to throw a no-hitter in his first or second career Major League start.

Schedule

Game 1 of ALCS will be at Fenway Park on Saturday, October 13, at 8:09 ET/5:09 PT. For the Red Sox it will be Chris Sale facing Astros ace Justin Verlander.

Game 2 will start at 7:09 ET/4:09 PT on Sunday, October 14. The matchup in that one is David Price for Boston vs Gerrit Cole for Houston.

When the series moves to Texas, ALCS Game 3 will start Tuesday, October 16, at 5:09 ET/2:09 PT and Game 4 will starts Wednesday, October 17, at 8:39 ET/5:39 PT.

Game 5 in Houston, if needed, will start on Thursday, October 18, at 8:09 ET/5:09 PT.

If the series continues, Game 6 will be at Fenway Park on Saturday, October 20, at 5:09 ET/2:09 ET, unless the NLCS is done, in which case the Red Sox will play at 8:09 ET/5:09 PT.

Game 7 is set to begin Sunday, October 21, at 7:39 ET/4:39 PT, if necessary.

All games will be broadcast on TBS. If you’ll be away from your TV, live streaming coverage of all postseason games airing on TBS will be available through the Watch TBS app. Just download the app and use it to sign into your home broadcast provider.

The World Series starts on Tuesday, October 23.


29 years ago today

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29 years ago today the Red Sox beat the Angels in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series—and I remember exactly where I was when that happened, living in Boston, practically in the shadow of Fenway Park.

It’s odd for me to remember that moment so vividly because, as I mention in other parts of this site, a love for baseball came to me later in life and likely to the chagrin of some in my family, who were die-hard fans.

Game 5 was a turning point in the postseason for the Red Sox, who were down 1-game-to-3 in the best of seven ALCS. After a loss in extra innings the day before, Boston looked to be heading to defeat entering the 9th inning down 5-2. But two home runs in the 9th, one by Don Baylor and another by Dave Henderson put Boston on top 6-5. The Angels tied the game in the bottom of the inning.

In the 11th Baylor was hit by a pitch, Dwight Evans and then Rich Gedman singled, and with the bases loaded Henderson sacrificed to score a run. It was just one run, but I remember it clearly, following the game on the radio in my dorm room and knowing that it was something special.

Calvin Schiraldi closed the game for the Red Sox. The series shifted to Fenway, and the Sox went on to beat the Angels in the next two games.

Of course, they faced the Mets in the World Series. Best to forget all about that.